Chapter 9

"Your Majesty, please return my daughter to me."

The emperor, who reluctantly granted the audience, had a complicated look on his face as he faced the Marquis Tranchesta, who was practically prostrating himself.

"…No."

"Why not? Why do you want my daughter so much… Could it be that you have seen her true face?"

"……"

The marquis raised his voice in anguish at the emperor's silence.

"Of course! That's why you desire her, isn't it? Otherwise, there's no way Your Majesty would notice a plain girl like her."

"…Her face has nothing to do with it. I need Ellis… That's all."

There was a reason for the emperor's hesitant and vague responses. Before meeting the marquis, Ellis had made him promise something.

"My father doesn't know that I write romance novels. So, please, don't mention anything about the novels."

"Why? You can talk about them as much as you want."

"Please stop! If my father finds out that I write about such intimate matters, I'd rather die! I've already given up on you knowing, but I don't want anyone else to know that I'm the author Elistra! Especially not my father!"

Recalling Ellis's words, the emperor steeled himself. He was cautious with every word, fearing he might accidentally mention the novels while talking about Ellis.

The marquis, not understanding the emperor's thoughts, pleaded with tears in his eyes.

"That child has only that face. She has no outstanding talents, is introverted, and often locks herself in her room for hours, sometimes even skipping meals. I even had a custom-made pair of glasses made for her to prevent her from being lured by those who are only interested in her looks…"

The emperor, listening to the story, understood the purpose of those glasses. Despite everything, they were a testament to the marquis's love for his daughter.

"…I never thought Your Majesty would take an interest in her. I was careless. If only I hadn't brought her to that ball. She doesn't have the skills to serve Your Majesty! Please, return my daughter to me before she becomes a burden to you!"

"……"

The emperor's mind was flooded with thoughts, but he couldn't say anything unnecessary due to his promise to Ellis. As he hesitated, the silence continued, and the marquis became even more agitated.

"I want my daughter… Ellis, to be with a man who loves her for who she is, not just her looks! That's why I was trying to persuade her to focus on her bridal training! Please, Your Majesty, please… please release my daughter, who is far from worthy of you!"

To speak so boldly to the emperor, known as a tyrant, the marquis must have had some resolve.

The emperor understood this, but he was gradually getting angry at the marquis's words.

What exactly does he mean by Ellis being unworthy? Among all the people the emperor had met, Ellis was the most talented, strong, and beautiful.

To the emperor, Ellis was a perfect being. He couldn't tolerate anyone, even her father, denying this.

"To not know Ellis's talents, Marquis, is pitiful."

Before he knew it, the emperor had spoken these words.

"Ellis's talents? …What do you mean?"

"……"

Oh no. I slipped. I couldn't hold back. If I mention the novels here, what will Ellis say? I might not even be able to talk to her anymore. I can't let that happen. I need to cover it up.

"Ahem. In any case, I can't return Ellis. I've already become someone who can't live without her."

This wasn't a lie. The emperor had indeed become someone who couldn't live without Ellis's novels. However, upon hearing these words, the marquis's face turned pale with wild imagination.

"Could it be that Ellis has already… been with Your Majesty…?"

"?"

"Ah! So the talent you mentioned earlier was…!"

"What are you mumbling about?"

"What a disaster… Oh, how could this happen…"

"Hey, Marquis. You look really pale. Are you okay?"

The marquis, who had turned deathly pale, looked up with bloodshot eyes and approached the emperor.

"Your Majesty! You will take responsibility, won't you?"

"Responsibility…?"

"Surely, you don't intend to make Ellis a concubine!?"

"Concubine? I have no such intention…"

"Then you will make Ellis your empress… your queen, right?"

Despite the intense pressure from the marquis, the emperor nodded.

"Of course. If Ellis agrees, I want her to become my queen. I've told her this many times. I've even prepared a marriage contract."

Seeing the emperor nod confidently, the marquis's eyes welled up with tears of gratitude.

"Is that so? Even a marriage contract. If that's the case, I have nothing more to say. She is a humble daughter, but please take good care of her for the rest of your days."

"Um…? So, I don't have to return Ellis?"

"What are you saying! It would be a problem if you returned her now! Please keep her by your side forever."

"…! Got it, leave it to me!"

Though he didn't quite understand, the emperor was delighted to have the marquis's approval.

---

"Is the emperor doing well?"

Meanwhile, Ellis, who was waiting for the emperor to return, asked Jeffrey, who was also waiting for the audience to end.

"He is the emperor, after all. He should manage somehow."

Usually, with the emperor around, Ellis and Jeffrey rarely had a chance to talk alone.

Thinking it was a good opportunity, Jeffrey picked up one of Ellis's novels.

"I read it, and I can understand why the emperor is so captivated. The nuances of romantic relationships are depicted so skillfully. Miss Ellis, you are quite perceptive about matters of the heart."

Ellis looked up, sensing something off about Jeffrey's tone.

"What do you mean?"

"…I thought someone who writes such stories wouldn't fail to understand the emperor's feelings."

"……"

"Do you really think the emperor's feelings for you are just an obsession?"

Jeffrey's gaze, which had shifted from the novel to Ellis, was sharp and penetrating.

Realizing she couldn't deceive him like the emperor, Ellis sighed and spoke honestly.

"I don't want to hurt the emperor with half-hearted feelings."

Jeffrey's eyes widened slightly. Ellis's voice was unexpectedly serious.

"…So, you have noticed the emperor's feelings. You were just pretending not to?"

"I'm a romance novelist. When someone known as a tyrant smiles at me like that, it's natural to think there's something special about it."

Gripping the pen in her hand, Ellis bit her lip, reflecting on her past actions.

"Do you have no intention of reciprocating the emperor's feelings?"

"…If I had no intention at all, I would have run away long ago."

"Then, you are considering accepting his feelings?"

Ellis shook her head at Jeffrey's question.

"I know I'm being selfish. But I need a little more time. Accepting the emperor's feelings isn't just about having a pleasant romance. As queen, many burdens will fall on me. If I can't bear them and run away…?"

Ellis's voice trembled slightly.

"If the emperor, who said he learned about 'emotion' from my novels, were deeply hurt because of me… Just thinking about it is terrifying. That's why I… I'm taking advantage of the emperor's kindness and pretending not to notice until I can make up my mind."

Little by little, but surely, Ellis's heart was becoming more entangled. The time spent laughing with the emperor was slowly consuming her. She was both terrified and cherished this. Even though she knew it was wrong, she couldn't bring herself to leave.

"You do care for the emperor, don't you?"

Jeffrey, who handed a handkerchief to Ellis, who was wiping her eyes, did not sound accusatory.

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